Packaging of the stickpack type with improved opening and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening, comprising a single- or multilayer flexible film that forms a hermetically sealed tubular body provided longitudinally with a first sealing band, of the inside/outside type or of the inside/inside type, of mutually opposite longitudinal flaps of the film and provided transversely with second sealing bands of the inside/inside type; a sealed extension region protrudes from at least one of the second sealing bands on a respective portion of at least one edge of the tubular body, and, in longitudinal alignment with the sealed extension region, transverse preweakening incisions are provided along at least one of the mutually opposite longitudinal flaps.

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening and to the method for manufacturing it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Among the various types of packaging for products in granular or powder form, a type known as Stickpack is currently widely used commercially.

[0003] This Stickpack packaging is preferably used to package products such as coffee, sugar, drugs or other products in a single-dose quantity.

[0004] Its manufacture is per se relatively simple.

[0005] In a conventional packaging machine, preferably of the vertical type, a single- or multi-layer laminated flexible film is folded around the forming collar, which also acts as a filler tube.

[0006] Longitudinal closure is performed by overlapping the opposite flaps of the flexible film, heat-sealing the inside flap on the outside flap.

[0007] In order to achieve this seal, commonly known as inside/outside sealing, both surfaces of the initial film must have sealing properties.

[0008] Transverse sealing of the bottom is then performed, followed by filling with product and by transverse sealing of the top of the packaging.

[0009] Another longitudinal closure of the packaging is performed by overlapping the opposite inside flaps of the flexible film, heat-sealing the inside flap onto the inside flap: this seal is known as inside/inside sealing.

[0010] These packagings have a problem linked to their opening.

[0011] In order to access the packaged product it is in fact necessary to tear said packaging below the transverse sealing line.

[0012] This operation is sometimes facilitated by preweakenings that are provided on the edge of the packaging (on an extension of the sealed region).

[0013] However, when the tear reaches the longitudinal seal region, said tear tends to continue along the side of the longitudinal seal region, causing uneven opening with probable loss of the contained product.

[0014] Various technical solutions are known in order to allow easy opening of this type of packaging.

[0015] For example, solutions are known which provide for the yielding of the material by means of laser-generated or mechanical incisions.

[0016] Moreover, solutions are known that provide for the insertion of a transverse strip proximate to the top so as to guide the opening action.

[0017] All these technical solutions for assisted opening of said Stickpack packagings in any case suffer from drawbacks.

[0018] Solutions that provide for yielding are in fact currently very onerous, since they require the film printing machines to have equipment dedicated to each specific type and size of packaging.

[0019] Moreover, the risks linked to the use of laser technology in the field of packaging are known; if the initial film is a monolayer, there is the risk of generating microperforations in it.

[0020] In the case of multiple layers, instead, there is the risk of delaminations, with consequent alteration of the barrier properties of the layers.

[0021] Finally, solutions that provide for the insertion of a strip require modifying the packaging machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The aim of the present invention is to provide a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening that solves the opening problems and drawbacks of known types of packaging of the Stickpack type.

[0023] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening that is sealed perfectly and does not have tearing or delaminations in the layers of the film that composes the packaging.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for providing a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening that is economically advantageous with respect to methods currently in use for providing equivalent commercially available packagings.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type and the like that uses machines that are simple to manufacture and derive from known systems and technologies.

[0026] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening, comprising a single- or multilayer flexible film that forms a hermetically sealed tubular body that is provided longitudinally with a first band of inside/outside sealing of mutually opposite longitudinal flaps of said film and is provided transversely with second sealing bands of the inside/inside type, a sealed extension region protruding from at least one of said second sealing bands on a respective portion of at least one edge of said tubular body, said packaging being characterized in that it comprises, in longitudinal alignment with said sealed extension region, transverse preweakening incisions that are provided along at least one of said mutually opposite longitudinal flaps.

[0027] Moreover, this aim and these objects are also achieved by an improved packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening, which comprises a flexible single- or multilayer film that forms a tubular body that is hermetically sealed longitudinally by means of a first band where mutually opposite complementary flaps of said film are sealed and is sealed transversely with second sealing bands, a sealed extension region protruding from at least one of said second sealing bands along the corresponding longitudinal edge of said tubular body, transverse preweakening incisions being provided longitudinally at said sealed region along at least one of said mutually opposite longitudinal flaps, said improved packaging being characterized in that said first sealing band is of the inside/inside type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029]FIG. 1 is a front view of the packaging according to the invention during a step of its manufacture;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the top of the packaging according to the invention;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, of the packaging according to the invention;

[0032]FIG. 4 is an enlarged-scale front view of a detail of the packaging according to the invention;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a front view of the packaging according to the invention;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a front view of the packaging according to the invention during its opening;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a front view of a flexible film that is partially sealed longitudinally according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0036]FIG. 8 is a front view of a flexible film as shown in FIG. 7, which is sealed also transversely so as to form a partial packaging;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view, taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7, of an improved packaging according to the invention;

[0038]FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view, taken along the line X-X of FIG. 8, of an improved packaging according to the invention;

[0039]FIG. 11 is a front view of a packaging according to the invention, provided by means of film as in FIGS. 7 to 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, a first embodiment of a packaging of the Stickpack type with improved opening according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0041] The packaging 10 comprises a flexible single- or multilayer film 10 a that forms a hermetically sealed tubular body 11.

[0042] Such tubular body 11 is longitudinally provided with a first band 12 for the inside/outside sealing of mutually opposite longitudinal flaps 13 of said film.

[0043] The tubular body 11 has respective second sealing bands 16 of the inside/inside type arranged transversely on its longitudinal ends that form the bottom 14 and the top 15 of the packaging 10.

[0044] In this embodiment, a sealed extension region 19 protrudes only from the second sealing band 16 related to the top 15 of the packaging 10 on a respective portion 17 of the longitudinal edge 18 of the tubular body 11.

[0045] A weakening pre-cut 20 is provided on the sealed extension region 19.

[0046] As an alternative, it is possible to provide sealed extension regions on both mutually opposite longitudinal edges of the tubular body 11, with weakening pre-cuts on both of said sealed regions, both on the top and on the bottom of the packaging 10.

[0047] The packaging 10 further comprises, in longitudinal alignment with the sealed extension region 19, transverse weakening incisions 21 that are arranged in series to each other, and are formed longitudinally along both longitudinal flaps 13 in this embodiment (see also FIG. 4).

[0048] If the embodiment of the packaging 10 comprises sealed regions of the type 19 also on the bottom of said packaging, it is possible to provide said transverse preweakening incisions also in longitudinal alignment with this last sealed region.

[0049] As an alternative, it is possible to provide the transverse incisions 21 on a single longitudinal flap of the film, preferably the first flap encountered by the tear that propagates from the pre-cut 20 while opening the packaging.

[0050] Such longitudinal plurality of transverse incisions 21 preferably covers a length that is substantially equal to the longitudinal length of the sealed extension region 19.

[0051] The transverse incisions 21 are smaller than the width of the first sealing band 12, so as to avoid intersecting and impairing the seal of the packaging 10.

[0052] When one begins to open the packaging 10 by tearing it proximate to the pre-cut 20, the tear propagates in a linear fashion up to the first sealing band 12, which hinders the continuation of the opening process.

[0053] From there, thanks to the presence of the incisions 21, the tear passes beyond the band 12 without interrupting the linearity of the opening of the packaging.

[0054] In this manner, the packaging is opened correctly without scattering its content.

[0055] A method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type such as the one described above comprises a step for unwinding the film from a reel and a subsequent step for folding the unwound film on a collar that forms the packaging.

[0056] With reference to FIG. 1, said forming collar allows, by way of a filler tube 50, to fill a partial packaging 51, obtained by means of the folded film, with the product (for example of the granular or powdered type) to be packaged.

[0057] The step for sealing the partial packaging by means of the already mentioned longitudinal and transverse seals, in order to obtain a hermetically sealed packaging, is then performed.

[0058] Before the step for folding said film onto the forming collar there is a step for providing the already described transverse incisions on at least one of the mutually opposite longitudinal flaps of said film.

[0059] With reference to FIGS. 7 to 11, a second embodiment of the packaging of the Stickpack type with improved opening according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 100.

[0060] Such packaging 100 comprises a flexible single- or multilayer film 111.

[0061] The film 111 forms, when folded around a packaging-forming collar, a tubular body 113.

[0062] Such tubular body 113 is sealed hermetically longitudinally by means of a first sealing band 114.

[0063] The first sealing band 114 affects the mutually opposite complementary flaps, designated respectively by the reference numerals 115 a and 115 b, of the film 111.

[0064] Transversely, the tubular body 113 is sealed by means of second sealing bands, designated by the reference numerals 116 a for the bottom of the packaging 100 and 116 b for the top of the packaging 100.

[0065] A sealed extension region 118 protrudes from one of the second sealing bands 116 along the corresponding longitudinal edge 117 of the tubular body 113.

[0066] A weakening pre-cut 119 is generally provided on the sealed extension region 118.

[0067] It is possible to provide, if so chosen, sealed extension regions on both mutually opposite longitudinal edges 115 a and 115 b of the tubular body 113, with pre-cuts 119 on both of the sealed regions 118, both on the top and on the bottom of the packaging 100.

[0068] In longitudinal alignment with the sealed region 118 there are transverse preweakening incisions 130, that are longitudinally in series to each other and are formed along both of the mutually opposite complementary longitudinal flaps 115 a and 115 b.

[0069] The second sealing bands 116 a and 116 b are of the inside/inside type.

[0070] The improved packaging 100 is characterized in that said first sealing band 114 is also of the inside/inside type.

[0071] The first sealing band 114, after the sealing operation, is folded and made to adhere longitudinally to the outer surface 120 of the tubular body 113 by interposing an adhesive layer 121.

[0072] The adhesive layer 121 is constituted by a thermolacquer.

[0073] In a further embodiment, such adhesive layer 121 is constituted by a sealing film.

[0074] The adhesive layer 121 is distributed along the entire length of the packaging 100, proximate to the first sealing band 114, which in this step assumes a so-called “fin” configuration and is designated by the reference numeral 114 a.

[0075] The adhesive layer 121 is therefore arranged substantially at the base of the “fin” 114 a.

[0076] In another embodiment, the adhesive layer 121 is distributed only at the second transverse sealing bands 116 a and 116 b.

[0077] The adoption of an inside/inside seal for the first longitudinal sealing band 114 allows to eliminate the sealing problems caused by the nonuniform nature of the materials in contact in the case of outside/inside sealing with multilayer films.

[0078] Inside/inside sealing in fact affects layers of the same material both in the case of single-layer film and in the case of multilayer film.

[0079] The folding of the “fin” 114 a so that it adheres to the adhesive layer 121 allows the packaging 100 to benefit from the advantages of the transverse incisions 130 in addition to maintaining a pleasant aesthetic appearance and easy handling of the packaging 100.

[0080] The incisions 130 in fact allow the tear line, which starts from the weakening pre-cut 119 provided on the edge of the packaging, to continue through said first longitudinal sealing band 114 provided by the two mutually sealed flaps 115 a and 115 b.

[0081] A method for manufacturing improved packagings 100 of the Stickpack type and the like, such as the one described above, comprises a first step in which the single- or multilayer film 111 is unwound.

[0082] The film 111 is then folded around the forming collar in order to provide a partial packaging, designated by the reference numeral 100 a.

[0083] The collar also allows, by means of an inlet tube 150, to fill the packaging 100.

[0084] Transverse incisions 130 are provided on the film 111 prior to the folding step on at least one of the mutually opposite longitudinal flaps 115 a and 115 b of the film 111.

[0085] The subsequent steps consist first of all in longitudinally sealing the partial packaging 100 a by means of the first sealing band 114 of the mutually opposite flaps 115 a and 115 b, said seal being of the inside/inside type.

[0086] The longitudinal adhesive layer 121 is then applied on the outer surface 120 of the partial packaging 100 a at and proximate to the first heat-sealing band 114 in the vicinity of the base of the “fin” 114 a.

[0087] The first sealing band 114 is folded, with respect to a longitudinal axis, from the original fin-like configuration 114 a onto the outer surface 120 of the partial packaging 100 a on the side of the adhesive layer 121.

[0088] The first sealing band 114 is glued to the outer surface 120 by activating the adhesive layer 121.

[0089] If the adhesive layer 121 is constituted by thermolacquer, activation of the same layer 121 is achieved by heating said thermolacquer.

[0090] The partial packaging 100 a is sealed transversely by means of the second sealing bands 116 a and 116 b.

[0091] The weakening pre-cut 119 is provided on at least one sealed extension region 118 of at least one of the second sealing bands 116 a and 116 b.

[0092] In this process, the operation for gluing the first sealing band 114 to the outer surface 120 precedes the transverse sealing of the partial packaging 100 a.

[0093] In a further embodiment of the method described above, said operation for gluing the first sealing band 114 to the outer surface 120 follows said transverse sealing of the partial packaging 100 a.

[0094] The operation for applying the longitudinal adhesive layer 121 can be chosen continuous or intermittent.

[0095] This operation performed continuously allows to glue the “fin” 114 a to the surface 120 along the entire packaging 100; intermittent gluing instead allows to glue the “fin” 114 a only in the regions that are subsequently affected by the transverse seal.

[0096] The longitudinal adhesive layer 121 is conveniently arranged not outside, i.e. within the band or strip of surface affected by the first folded sealing band 114.

[0097] In practice it has been found that the invention thus described solves the problems noted in known types of Stickpack-type packaging; in particular, the present invention provides a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening that allows transverse opening of the packaging without the risk of scattering the product contained inside.

[0098] The incisions on the first longitudinal seal in fact allow the tear of the packaging to cross said seal in a linear fashion.

[0099] Moreover, the present invention provides a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening that is sealed perfectly and does not have lacerations or delaminations in the layers of the film that composes the packaging.

[0100] Conveniently, the transverse incisions are in fact much smaller than the width of the first sealing band, so as not to cross and impair the seal of the packaging.

[0101] Further, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a packaging of the Stickpack type such as the one described that is economically advantageous with respect to the methods currently in use for manufacturing equivalent commercially available packagings.

[0102] Moreover, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type and the like that uses machines that are simple to manufacture and derive from known systems and technologies.

[0103] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0104] In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0105] The disclosures in Italian Patent Applications No. PD2003A000066 and PD2003A000160 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaging of the Stickpack type with improved opening, comprising: a flexible film, having at least one layer, which forms a hermetically sealed tubular body with mutually opposite longitudinal film flaps, a first band provided longitudinally to said body for inside/outside sealing of said mutually opposite longitudinal flaps of the film; second sealing bands provided transversely to said body for inside/inside sealing; a sealed extension region protruding from at least one of said second sealing bands on a respective portion of at least one edge of said tubular body; and transverse preweakening incisions that are provided in longitudinal alignment with said sealed extension region, along at least one of said mutually opposite longitudinal flaps.
 2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said second sealing bands are each provided transversely at longitudinal ends of said tubular body that form a bottom and a top of said packaging, and wherein a weakening pre-cut is provided on said sealed extension region prodruding from the at least one of said second sealing bands that corresponds to the top of the packaging, said transverse weakening incisions being provided along said mutually opposite longitudinal flaps.
 3. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said second sealing bands are each provided transversely on the longitudinal ends of said tubular body that form the bottom and the top of said packaging, and wherein a weakening pre-cut is provided on said sealed extension region prodruding from at least one of said second sealing bands that corresponds to the top of the packaging, said transverse weakening incisions being formed along one of said longitudinal flaps of said film.
 4. The packaging of claim 2, wherein said transverse weakening incisions are arranged in a series configuration that runs longitudinally along said flaps for a length that is at least equal to a longitudinal length of said sealed extension region.
 5. The packaging of claim 4, wherein said transverse weakening incisions are smaller than the width of said first sealing band.
 6. A method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type as set forth in claim 1, comprising: unwinding of the film with at least one layer for providing a partial packaging; sealing of said partial packaging by way of longitudinal and transverse seals in order to obtain a hermetically sealed packaging; and providing transverse incisions on at least one of the longitudinal mutually opposite flaps of said film.
 7. The method of claim 6, comprising providing a forming collar, said transverse incisions being provided after unwinding said film and before folding said unwound film onto said forming collar.
 8. A packaging of the Stickpack type with improved opening, comprising: a film made with at least one layer, which forms a hermetically longitudinally sealed tubular body having mutually opposite complementary flaps; a first sealing band for longitudinal sealing of said body; second sealing bands for sealing transversely said body; a sealed extension region protruding along a corresponding longitudinal edge of said tubular body from at least one of said second sealing bands; transverse preweakening incisions provided in longitudinal alignment with said sealed extention region along at least one of said mutually opposite longitudinal flaps; and wherein said first sealing band is of an inside/inside sealing type.
 9. The packaging of claim 8, wherein said first sealing band is folded and at least partially adheres longitudinally to an outer surface of said tubular body, and wherein an adhesive layer is further provided at said first sealing band for providing adhesion thereof at said outer surface of the body.
 10. The packaging of claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is constituted by a thermolacquer.
 11. The packaging of claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is constituted by a sealing film.
 12. The packaging of claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is distributed at at least one of said second transverse sealing bands having an adjacent heat-sealed extension region provided with a weakening pre-cut.
 13. A method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type as set forth in claim 8, comprising: unwinding a film made of at least one layer so as to manufacture a partial packaging; providing transverse incisions on said film on at least one of mutually opposite flaps of said film; sealing longitudinally said partial packaging by way of a first sealing band of an inside/inside sealing type that seals the mutually opposite flaps; applying onto at least one portion of an outer surface of said partial packaging a longitudinal adhesive layer at and proximate to said first sealing band; folding, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the packaging, said first sealing band on the outer surface of said partial packaging on a side of said adhesive layer; adhering said first sealing band to said outer surface portion by activating said adhesive layer; transversely sealing said partial packaging with second sealing bands; and providing a weakening pre-cut on at least one sealed extension region of at least one of said second sealing bands.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said adhering step of said first sealing band to said at least one outer surface portion precedes the step for transverse sealing of said partial packaging.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said adhering step of said first sealing band to said outer surface portion follows the step for transverse sealing of said partial packaging.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein said adhesive layer is constituted by thermolacquer.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the activation step of said adhesive layer is achieved by heating said thermolacquer.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein said step for applying said longitudinal adhesive layer is selectively carried out either in a continuous or intermittent sequence.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step for intermittent application of said adhesive layer is carried out at said second sealing bands.
 20. The method of claim 13, comprising the step of arranging said longitudinal adhesive layer within a strip of surface constituting said first folded sealing band. 